"A GUIDE TO AUDUBON'S Birds of America provides a comprehensive yet easily accessible tour through the maze of nomenclature difficulties in Audubon's great works. A brief historical introduction recounts significant events in Audubon's life and discusses the techniques used in the creation of the double elephant folio. Detailed descriptions of each print include: the current name of the bird according to the most recent data...; the name (if any) on Audubon's original painting...; name of the bird in the octavo and Bien editions; and brief accounts of pertinent historical data" (dust jacket). An essential Audubon reference book.